Background: The reorganization of Finnish healthcare services has required a restructuring of the areas of responsibility between healthcare professionals.
Aim: To describe the need for Advanced Practice Nurses in Finland and the development process of a Master's programme in Health Promotion, Advanced Clinical Care.
Methods: The study consisted of a survey of nurse managers (24) and focus group interviews with clinical nurse specialists (46).
Findings: The expanded role includes advanced clinical skills and responsibility for health prevention and promotion, education, supervision, leadership, research and development.
Conclusions: The legislation, scope and models have to be supported and further developed to promote the full scope of advanced practice.